Do you like to help others, even if you may be causing more harm them helping? Today let’s look at some ways to know when to help and when to let go.
When someone comes to you asking for help or bail them out of a situation they have created themselves; what is the best option? This is a tool to use. Show compassion to them without being impulsive to act. Take time to validate the person’s stress, fear, or even panic by patiently listening to their story. Avoid giving them advice. Sympathize with them by saying things like, you are sorry to hear they are going through this or boy, that sounds like a hard time for you. Then offer to pray for them. Give God space to do His work. This would be a good time to pray with the person when they are done sharing their hardships. Keep doing this as long as you have not gotten an answer from God if you should give advice.
Read Matthew 7:3. Do keep an eye on your own issues. We tend to see others’ issues and want to help them deal with theirs, while God wants you to work with him on dealing with your own issues. While we invite God to work in our own lives, this will help us not focus on others’ issues.
We all have decisions to make in our lives. Whether it is simple or complex, we will probably never totally agree with their choices. However, it is not our place to conform them to our opinions on how they should live. Keep your opinions to yourself (this, of course, is for adults and older teenagers). You can remind them gently and sparingly of where they came from, their heritage, when it will be effective. Don’t argue, but affirm. Be more positive than negative in their lives. Pray for them more than talk at them. Prayer is way stronger. If you have to say something, then say what you mean, mean what you say, but don’t be mean about it.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us not to try and control others out of our own issues. I pray that we will seek you out in every situation in our lives and handle it according to your will.
In Jesus Name
Amen
